From planning to execution

Today I’m posting 2 recent paintings from my varanasi series, showing how I plan and execute my paintings

Both have been painted from my reference photographs. In the case of 'Morning Ferry' there was a certain portion in the reference photograph in which I was interested. So in order to check the composition, I did a thumbnail sketch. I normally follow this procedure, if I'm interested in just a portion of the photograph.

 And once I like it, I do another sketch, this time, little bigger and in color. These studies give me an idea how the final paintings would look. Some changes can still be made if need be, at this stage.

Doing these small color sketches is much more fun than the final painting :-)

Here are the final paintings -

'Morning Ferry, Varanasi'

Watercolor on Saunders Waterford paper,

10 x 14 inches

'Varanasi Hues'

Watercolor on Saunders Waterford Paper,

10 x 14 inches

Kolkata series: First Light

'First Light'

Watercolor on Saunders paper,

21 x 14 inches

Morning over the Lake palace, Udaipur

Watercolor on 640 gsm paper

14 x 21 inches

I worked from more than 1 reference image for the composition and color tones in this one. Also used 640 gsm watercolor paper for the first time. All I can say is I like 300 gsm better!

A small reference sketch

Golden Fields

Watercolor on paper

14 x 21 inches

I have used Saunders Waterford (300 gsm) for this painting. When compared to others, this paper is a little yellowish...good for subjects that don't have much whites!

A Bright Morning

Watercolor on Paper

15 x 11 in.